Thy Kingdom Come - 21st - 31st May 2020

Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray between Ascension Day (21 May) and Pentecost (31 May) for more people to come to know Jesus.

Praying for people to come to know the love, hope and peace found in Christ is at the heart of Thy Kingdom Come.

Daily Prayer for Thy Kingdom Come is a great way to set up regular, daily patterns of prayer to hold these people in prayer – whether you are doing so on your own, as a household, or joining with a small group or as a church virtually.

For the first time this year, Christians are not only encouraged to pray for others to know the love of Christ, but to also practically demonstrate their love and care through action during the 11 days, an initiative called ‘Prayer and Care.’

For families, the Digital Family Prayer Adventure Map, created with Missional Generation, will aid children and young people explore prayer in a fun way.

The map is full of activities based on the daily themes of Thy Kingdom Come and comes to life through an augmented reality app with bonus digital content. This includes Bible story animations and video reflections from well-known Christians including Archbishop Justin Welby, CBeebies’ presenter Gemma Hunt, Guvna B, Eye Can Talk author Jonathan Bryan, Author of the Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd Jones and Storyteller Philip Glassborow.

The campaign will also relaunch its award-winning app which will enable anyone with a smartphone to access the content and journey through the 11 days of prayer. The app has been translated into eight languages and last year was downloaded in almost 100 countries worldwide.

In a video message, filmed in his kitchen, Archbishop Justin Welby reflected on this year’s changes due to COVID-19. He said:

‘It seems we are having to reinvent everything this year. Thy Kingdom Come, which is normally a time of gathering and of being together, is now to be done at home. Well, praise God. That’s where the church began -in people’s homes, in people’s houses and where in many parts of the world it still happens.

And in an encouragement to all, he said:

‘Let us regain our confidence as we pray between Ascension and Pentecost this year, praying for the coming of the Spirit that all may know that Jesus Christ is risen, that Jesus Christ is Lord, And in His life and love, there is hope and peace, and call and purpose. May God bless you in your times of prayer, may you know His living presence in your home. Amen.’

On the importance of prayer at this time, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Roman Catholic Church, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales said:

“Prayer knows no boundaries or obstacles. Prayer cannot be ‘locked down’. Lord, send us your Holy Spirit and the freedom that is the Spirit’s gift.”

The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, who started the movement with Archbishop Justin, said:

‘As we pray ‘Thy Kingdom Come’– for the fifth year as a nationwide and now worldwide season of prayer for people to come to a living faith in Jesus Christ, again I am bringing my ‘five’ to God – the five for whom I am praying that they will know the abundant life that is in Jesus Christ. It has been a joy each year to see friends encountering Jesus Christ and beginning a new life.

‘This year because of COVID-19 so many people are searching for meaning and hope, as well as discovering afresh the importance of real, self-sacrificial love. May the Holy Spirit equip us all to share that love, and to speak of Jesus Christ, and of the love of God our Father. Come, Holy Spirit!’

Last year, the prayer movement culminated into a moment of celebration at Trafalgar Square where thousands of Christians gathered. The presidents of Churches Together in England (CTE), led prayers on the day including His Eminence, Archbishop Angaelos, CTE President of the Orthodox Churches. He said:

‘Since the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and the women who ministered to our Lord, in the Upper Room, the Church has been built on a spirit of fellowship and prayerful collaboration. There is no stronger place for us to be than “in one place with one accord” (Acts 2:1), and so too, as we share in this Thy Kingdom Come initiative, we stand together waiting the continued inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and His empowerment to always preach the message of hope and Life to our world.’

CTE’s Pentecostal Churches President, Pastor Agu Irukwu, said: ‘At no time in living memory has the Church needed to pray as much as it does now, as we grapple with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am particularly grateful for the role ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ prayer movement plays in mobilising the Church to prayer.’

Free Churches President of Churches Together in England, Dr Hugh Osgood, said:

‘Thy Kingdom Come is such a powerful movement for preparing the Church for its mission, and it's exciting to know that this year too, from Ascension to Pentecost, prayer will be stirred up right across the Church in all its diversity. I look forward to there being even wider participation in Thy Kingdom Come 2020.’

Methodist Youth President, Thelma Commey, who authored this year’s Methodist Prayer Journal, said: ’I am really looking forward to being a part of this ecumenical movement. Although it is virtual, and we can’t gather together as we might wish, I believe that the Holy Spirit will guide us all and empower us through this journey of prayer together.’

Churches across the UK and beyond, who would normally be gearing up to organise special services and events are now finding innovative ways of adapting.

Different denominations are also getting ready to be involved including the Methodist Church of Great Britain, the Catholic Church of England and Wales and the Church of Scotland.

Various countries worldwide are making preparation to take part in Thy Kingdom Come, in line with respective government guidance on social distancing. This includes South Africa, Canada, Australia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Korea, Argentina, Brazil and South Sudan to name a few.

Care for those you are praying for, pray for those you are caring for #Prayerandcare

During these difficult and trying times, we believe that now more than ever, presents an incredible opportunity for the Church worldwide, to unite in prayer so that our family, friends and neighbours will come to know the love and peace of Jesus Christ for themselves. One of our Key themes for Thy Kingdom Come is prayer and care. As we are praying for those we love to come to know the hope and love of Christ we also are encouraging all to see how they can show God’s love towards them. By caring for them. Here are 5 ideas on how we can care and love those we know, even when we are socially distanced:

1. Keep up contact. Make a phone call, send an email, letter or card saying that you are praying for them at this time.

2. Keep an eye out for the anniversaries of life events. Make that phone call to let people know you care.

3. Send a small gift or book purchased on line, maybe insert life words etc.

4. Serve where you can in delivering groceries or medications.

5. Make sure the people you pray for know how much you value them by whatever means you can find.